I know several people on here consult with a nutritionist. The Zoe team have not yet released microbiome testing in uk and it would appear to be quite expensive when it does appear.
I am aware of the gut - heart link and came across this company. Just wondering if anyone has used them. They also sell various probiotic supplements and foods. chucklinggoat.co.uk/product...
Microbiome testing always costs and there are plenty on the market but reading the results usually means expert advice and therein lies the expense. I can’t wait for the Zoe to come here. I reckon along with Nutritionist appointments, supplements etc you can reckon on £1200-1500/year - but that’s not all in one go. I like the look of Chuckling Goat microbiome testing and that’s a good price so I’d go with that before spending a lot of money on supplements.
I make my own kefir sometimes with goat’s milk and know that Chuckling Goat come very highly rated and have friends who like them but my own view is better to buy local if you can track down a good organic supply of goat’s milk and make your own. Certainly I would go with their kefir, if you can’t find a good local supplier. It’s much harder to find organic goat milk products.
For Probiotics, Prebiotics and Digestive Enzymes I prefer Cytoplan as they have done a huge amount of research and I’ve been to a few of their seminars and was impressed. I’d go with the Digestive Enzymes over the probiotics unless you know you are low in good microbes simply because probiotics tend not to stick, they basically go straight through you in 24 hours but good if you have had to have antibiotics to help restore balance.
Everyone’s microbiome is different and therefore what works for one, may make no difference to another. I had an overgrowth of 2 very nasty microbes and turned out that tannin and garlic were the best antidotes - once I had addressed those issues, everything else improved so it’s just not as simple as taking a pro or prebiotic as it’s the balance of the microbes in our gut which is so important and decides which foods you can digest and which best avoided and which is what the Zoe tests do.
Unless you have been taking antibiotics, I’m quite sceptical of probiotice and my Lifestyle Doc prefers prebiotics. A good diet rich in prebiotics (green leafy veg, brassicas) and fermented foods will do the job just as well but be warned - it’s a long term Lifestyle Change will take months to show any positive results.
Thank you for the advice. I love my greens and am at present (shock horror to the purists no doubt) trying Morrisons new natural kefir yoghurt which whatever it does or doesn't do tastes yummy. We also have an excellent local health food shop.I think as you say because everyone's gut flora are different and need individual care, I am reluctant to plunge into the lifestyle changes until I have proper advice. I know I'm worth the investment but may have to join the queue behind my children's medical and mental health needs for now ( yes they're grown up but they are mine and their health is v important to me)
May well go for buying this test and the included consult, but am still on the dreaded omeprazole at present so will wait till I've weaned myself off that next month, fingers tightly crossed.
Remember the oxygen mask? You need to be healthy in order to help others but I understand as my husband is requiring a lot of support just now and therefor I’m not doing what I am preaching at the moment and subsequently my back an hip are playing up - they always do when I do too much - we are in the middle of moving house so what can I do?
Your gut microbiome is fundamental to overall health and a good functioning immune system.
I'm not sure testing is worthwhile unless you have a definite problem, but a good healthy diet supplemented with natural probiotics is probably enough for people with a normal digestive system.
My wife and I used to suffer with acid reflux or Gerd at night and the Rennies were lined up on the bedside table, but a bit of research put me in touch with probiotics.
We now make our own goats milk Kefir and regularly consume generous amounts of sauerkraut with salads etc.
The acid reflux is now history and our systems perform like clockwork.
Home made Kefir is so easy to make, has more bacterial strains and is much cheaper than shop Kefir.
Cultured Food Life or Happy Kombucha are excellent sources of grains and information. I bought some grains about 5 years ago and am still using the same ones, they grow so quickly.
Good luck.
thankyou for sources as I've said to jajarunner I was awash with kombucha at the turn of the century ( that makes me feel old!!)
thanks for the tip on goat's milk kefir. gonna try it.
I make my own Kefir! It gradually grows and is like a little animal in the fridge! It's fun as you can vary the strength and acidity by adding more milk or leaving it longer. Supposed to be great for the gut biome. I've got some in the freezer which should defrost and work again with some TLC. Let me know if you want it.
Thank you but not at present. I still have memories of my kombucha rearing phase. My fridge, airing cupboard and conservatory got very crowded as I couldn't bear to part with the mushroom like growths babies. Good stuff though. May have to start again from scratch
This post is timely for me. I have paroxysmal afib and with remineralization of my body my episodes have been fewer and farther between--until a couple of weeks ago when I underwent a colonoscopy. In prep for it, of course, I had to destroy my gut biome. And sure enough, the day after the procedure I went into afib for three days until my probiotics could get my second brain back in order. I am intrigued now by the posts about making my own kefir, particularly from goat's milk, and I will be doing that.
Happened to me, Prep for virtual CT colonoscopy sent me into afib! I still have gut problems now along with Polymyalgia, I am sure it is all linked although my consultant says not
Not directly connected but may be of interest to AFers; I have had several annual 'Organix' urine tests carried out by Nordic Labs in Denmark. This is a hi tech test, which is efficiently executed through an Alternative Practitioner. A mailing kit arrives, you pass some urine freeze it and give it to the carrier the next day. A few weeks later you get the results as below (pls ignore my scribbles) with recommendations. The bad news is it costs around £300.
Kardia
12 week post ablation update 
AF and Statins 
What tests/treatment
